
DISCOURSE 
DNt t t 
CYCLING 


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A DISCOVPSE 

ON CYCLING. 

With Especial Relation 



IS95 


Sterltno C^cle Works 




1 


r 


r 


Chicago 


NEW YORK, 

ScHOVERLING, DaLY & GALES, 
302 Broadway. 


H. T. 



168 Boul. de la Vilette, 

Gen’l European Agents. 


CITY OF MEXICO, 

Roberts & Pomeroy, 

Cinco de Mayo No. 12. 

Gen’l Mexican Agents. 


>y/ro^ 




C W Dickerson, President. Howard E. Raymond, Vice-President. 

B. W. Lord, Secretary. (Chairman of the L. A. W. Racing Board.) 

Chas. Timm, Superintendent. 





If 

i 


i 



M 














Ube Sterling 

“Built like a TKHatcb ” 



£. A. WHEATLEY 
CHICAGO 


Copyright, 1895, by 
The Sterling Cycle Works. 





OF THE PLEASURES 
AND ADVANTAGES OF CYCLING. 



here, of the Angle. 


CYCLIST, ANGLER, HUNTER. 

& 

" YCLIST. You are well over¬ 
taken, gentlemen. This is a 
fine fresh morning for all true 
lovers of nature, as I count 
myself, and perchance 
also, you, to be. 

Hunter. True, sir, I am, 
and so is also my friend 
We love the sun, the trees, 
the hills, the valleys, the rivers, and the freedom 
and freshness of nature. 

Angler. Sir, cycling has always appeared to 
me an honorable and pleasant enjoyment. Healthy 
and strengthening withal, so that I have often 
considered whether I should become a cyclist. 
And yet, I fear me, it would pall on the taste, as 
even caviare is known to do, wherein it is different 
i from mine own pursuit which, far from palling, 

PXfltglT 1 ! seems to grow upon one the longer it is followed. 



•{Refutation 
of m 
Bmjler’s 
"Cbeorlc 


perfectness 
of m 
Sterling 


(3oo0 

Reasoning 



Cyc. Trust me, sir, you are mistaken when you say that cycling will 
pall on the taste. For, of all sports and exercises that I have ever followed, 
cycling has always appeared to me the most enjoyable and most pleasant, 
and to say truth, the only one in which I have ever taken a constant and 
unvarying delight. 

For many years have I been an ardent lover of the wheel, and my love 

for it has grown with each succeed- r —- 

ing season, as I have watched and 
tested the improvements which are 
making it more and more perfect. 

The wheel I now ride, a Sterling, 
is, I Telieve, the most perfect that 
is at present made. And this by 
reason, first, of its exceeding strength, 
rigidness and durableness, and 
second, of its extreme lightness, 
grace and easiness of motion. I like 
to think, and this perhaps was also 
the thought of the manufacturers 
when they christened it, that its 
sterling qualities entitle it to the name 
of Sterling, as perhaps no other 
wheel is really worthy of being named. 

And, as to that, it is possible that cycling will pall on many tastes, but 
this is not, without reflection, to be laid as a fault upon the pursuit. For 
if you, Mr. Angler, were to angle with an indifferent rod, which would 
always break, or with a line so weak that it would not stand the weight of 
any fish, methinks that angling would seem to you but a sorry pleasure; and 
if, Mr. Hunter, you would have to shoot from a leaky boat, with a gun that 
would not hit the quarry, no matter how true your aim, then I think hunting 
would perhaps pall upon your taste, as it would on mine. 

Even so in cycling; on those who ride inferior wheels. (which will not 


6 






wear, and which cause loss of 
time and pleasure, as well as of 
money, in making repairs), I 
warrant me it will pall before long. 
But, as I have heard it said, and 
as I know to be true: “ He who 
rides a good wheel will never 
be discontent.” 

Hun. Sir, your discourse 
has a charm about it, and I 
would fain learn a little more 
about this enjoyment of yours. For 
although I have myself bestridden a wheel, 
yet I have never spent much time in cycling, nor can 
I make shift in the saddle otherwise than passably well. I have always 
considered that hunting was a noble and manly sport, and that it had no 
equal in other enjoyments, and so also has my friend, Mr. Angler, here, I 
doubt not, a very good opinion of his own diversion. Yet we are willing 
to be convinced. Pray, therefore, if you are in the humor and can spare 
the time, tell us what you think about your own pastime, and what it 
will do for mankind. 

Cyc. With all my heart! Here is a pleasant hedge. Let us sit down, 
and I will begin without more ado. 

And first, you are to understand that for healthfulness there is no 
sport will compare with cycling. It gives exercise to nearly every muscle of 

the body, and the motion of 
the wheel is healthy and tonic 
to the organs of digestion. 
Cycling is good for the brain¬ 
worker and for the mechanic. 
It causes the blood to course 
through the whole body, and 


|j)e < 3 oo 5 

flfcotto 


■founter asfcs 
HJe Cyclist 
for a 
2>lscour*e 


|!)e t>caltb* 
fulness 
of Cycling 


7 







TUscs of 
l^c TKHbeel 


Pleasures 
an& Cbanns 
of Me 
Sport 



builds up brain and muscle, with new tissue 
and nourishment. It cures Writer’s Cramp 
and Nervousness, Indigestion, Anaemia and 
many disorders which doctors call by 
learned names and treat with evil¬ 
tasting drugs. 

The brainworker, after working 
all day on a strain of nerves and 
brain, can go out on his wheel and 
return refreshed in mind and body. The 
clerk, from his close office, can ride 
home in the fresh air, and exercise his 
cramped muscles. 

The physician can make his visits 
on a wheel, and save time, while keep¬ 
ing himself in health. 

The minister can ride to and fro 
on his ministrations. The mechanic 
can ride to and from his work, and, 
if he rides an easy running Sterling, 
need not fear that his tired muscles 
will feel other than refreshed when f 
he gets home at night. The farmer’s 
boy can ride to town and back with 
the mail and provisions. 

Delicate women can gain health, 
strength and beauty. Everybody, in 
whatever walk of life, can be the 
better for it. 

And as to the enjoyment, I will 
that no one who has tried it thinks 
there is any pleasure like it. For, in the 


riding of a swift, light and easy running wheel, there is such a sense of 
exhilaration, excitement and refreshment, as is not experienced in any 
other way, except perhaps in ice skating or tobogganing. 

To this, add the charms of scenery through which the cyclist passes, 
the delightful fresh air with the scents of the trees, the flowers and the 
fields, the new interest in life which he or she acquires; truly, gentlemen, 
it is a pleasant pastime. 

And, gentlemen, not the least of the many pleasures of cycling, of 
which I have mentioned but few, is that of sitting down after several hours 
of pleasant riding, to a good hearty country meal, with a good joint or 
steak, home-made bread, fresh pure butter, rich milk, cream, coffee and 
cake, which is partaken of with an appetite which does full justice to the 
toothsome viands. 



9 







liBP*. * 'if Registered Cable Address, “Stercycle.” 

' * T ” cabling, please use “Adam's Cable Codex’’ in addition to beneath. 


Express to New York for first steamer. 

Freight to New York for first steamer. 

Ship and draw, B. L. attached. 

Model G, no Guards or Brake, Morgan & Wright Tires. 

Model G, with Guards and Brake, Morgan & Wright Tires. 

Model G, no Guards or Brake, Dunlop Tires. 

Model G, with Guards and Brake, Dunlop Tires. 

Model G, no Guards or Brake, Palmer Tires. 

Model G, with Guards and Brake, Palmer Tires. 

Model H, with Palmer Reg. Tires, 68 Gear, Ram’s Horn Handle Bar 
Model H, with Palmer Reg. Tires, 72 Gear, Ram’s Horn Handle Bar 

Model H, 68 Gear, Dunlop Racing, Ram’s Horn Handle Bar. 

Model H, 72 Gear, Dunlop Racing, Ram’s Horn Handle Bar. 

Model H, 68 Gear, M. & W. Racing, Ram’s Horn Handle Bar. 

Model H, 72 Gear, M.& W. Racing, Ram’s Horn Handle Bar. 

Model I, 68 Gear, Palmer Lt. Rd., Ram’s Horn Handle Bar. 

Model I, 72 Gear, Palmer Lt. Rd., Ram’s Horn Handle Bar. 

Model I, 68 Gear, M. & W. S-2, Ram’s Horn Handle Bar. 

Model I, 72 Gear, M. & W. S-2, Ram’s Horn Handle Bar. 

Model I, 68 Gear, Dunlop Lt. Rd., Ram’s Horn Handle Bar. 

Model I, 72 Gear, Dunlop Lt. Rd., Ram’s Horn Handle Bar. 

Model K, 63 Gear, Dunlop Lt. Rd., Raised Handle Bar. 

Model K, 63 Gear, Dunlop Lt, Rd., Regular Handle Bar. 


Loraine, 

Inca, 

Kush, 

Entity, 


Model K,63 Gear, M. & W. S-2, Raised Handle Bar. 

Model K, 63 Gear, M. & W. S-2, Ram’s Horn Handle Bar. 

Model K, 63 Gear, Palmer Lt. Rd. Straight Handle Bar. 
Model K, 63 Gear, Palmer Lt. Rd. Raised Handle Bar. 


ALTRUIST, Model L, 55 Gear, Dunlop Lt. Rd. Raised Handle Bar. 


Model L, 55 Gear, Dunlop Lt. Rd. Regular Handle Bar. 
Model L, 55 Gear, Palmer Lt. Rd. Raised Handle Bar. 
Model L, 55 Gear, Palmer Lt. Rd. Regular Handle Bar. 
Model L, 55 Gear, M. & W. S-2, Raised Handle Bar. 
Model L 55 Gear, M. & W. S-2, Regular Handle Bar. 


Thane, 

Horeb, 

Elaine, 

SlMCOE, 

Teller, 

Encore, 

Revere, 

Leary, 

Innes, 

Notre, 

Graven, 

Berne, 

Iris, 

Cleft, 

Yule, 

Clime, 

Lance, 

Exit, 

Brahmin, 
Un DINE, 
IVRY, 

Larch, 

Tadema, 


Weal, 

Arty, 

Tice, 

Cuffs, 

Hover, 


4 ? 










CHAPTER II 

OF THE STERLING BICYCLE, 
AND WHEREIN IT IS DIF¬ 
FERENT FROM OTHER 
BICYCLES. 

CYCLIST, ANGLER, HUNTER, HORSEMAN 
AND LADY. 




ORSEMAN. Gentlemen, I 
wish you a pleasant after¬ 
noon. What have you there? 
A good-looking bicycle, 
surely. Pray tell me by 
whom it is made, for I and 
my wife here are somewhat 
of a mind as to the sport, and this wheel has a 
wonderful good appearance. 

Cyclist. Sir, this wheel is called by those 
that make it a Sterling, and this, as I think, for 
the reason that it is so exceeding well made. 
I was about to explain to these gentlemen 













































































\£c lDigbs®ra6e 
Sterling 


jgiplanatton of 
IbigbsOrabe 


Jj)e treason 
Wlbs Ibc 
Ifcnowa 


TKflbat ye 
Iftival /IDans 
ufacturer 
Sato 




the advantages which the Sterling has, 
over other bicycles. Pray, will y 
not be of our company? 

Hor. Marry, sir, that we will. 

Come, Betty, let us listen to this gentleman’s 
discourse. 

Cyc. You must know then, my lady and gentlemen, t 
the Sterling bicycle has always had the name of being a high-grade 
bicycle, and this, not because it was called so, but because it is so. It 
is well known that every maker would like to be able to say that his 
bicycle is “high-grade,” and some of them do, without much regard as to 
whether it is or not. 

A bicycle is high-grade only when it is made of the very finest 
materials, and with the very finest workmanship. As soon as anything 
that is used in its construction is of the next quality to the very best, 
the bicycle is not high-grade. Or, if the highest possible grade of 
mechanical skill is not employed in its manufacture, the bicycle is not 
high-grade. 

And now, I will tell you that I am well acquainted with the manu¬ 
facturers of the Sterling, and was at one time in their employ. I know 
their high aim, and the pains they take in attaining it, and, I will say, 
that there is no other wheel made, of which I have any knowledge, that 
has attained the standard of perfection reached by the Sterling. 

Indeed, it was said to the manufacturers of the Sterling the other 
day, and this by a rival manufacturer: “We know thatfyou make the 
highest grade wheel on the market — we 
acknowledge it. The trouble is, you make 
it too good. The people don’t need such 
an extra fine wheel. They don’t expect 
it.” This, I can assure you, is strictly 
true, and were it not a violation of 
confidence, I could very easily give 
you the name of the gentleman. 


12 



Lad. That seems to me to be very conclusive. For, when a man’s 
business rivals feel bound to acknowledge the excellence of his goods, 
his goods must have attained to a very high and exceptional standard. 

Cyc. Indeed, madam, you are right. And let me tell you, there is 
a prominent dealer in one of the Atlantic States who has an agency tor 
two wheels—the Sterling, and one other, a very well known “ high- 
grade” make. This gentleman uses every year $2,500 worth of repairs, 
which are shipped to him from the factory of the other wheel (and 
perhaps $25.00 worth from the Sterling), and he gives as his reason for 

not selling the Sterling exclusively, that 
there is too much money in repairs. 

He makes a profit in repairing the other 
wheel but not the Sterling. 

Hun. Good sir, is not the hub on 
your Sterling of a very peculiar pattern? 

Cyc. Sir, you are a gentleman of discernment, for this 
hub, which is called the corrugated hub, is one of the chief 
beauties and advantages of the 
^m-K.Sterling. 

tT But first, I will ask you a conun¬ 


drum, and that is: What is the 
difference between a wagon wheel and 
a bicycle wheel? You give it up? 

Well, it is this, that a wagon wheel 
stands on its spokes, while a bicycle 
wheel hangs on its spokes. The strain 
on wagon spokes is pressure, on bicycle 
spokes tensile or drawing, and tor¬ 
sional or twisting. 

For this reason the best bicycles 
have tangent spokes. Spokes are generally 
made tangent by threading through a hole 



IReason of l!?e 
Stealer for 
Selling 
Bnotber 
TOlbeel 



1t)e CorrugateO 
fjub. 


J[)e tEangent 
Spofees 


13 


Sterling Corrugateb 
Ibub. 


5 ? £ 


H?e 






IK 

uf, 

5a 


|)e 'Ccnsilc 
Strength 


J|)e /BMchtgan 
<3ent 



in the hub and then bending up into position. Now, we all know that bending 
to a right angle will weaken any wire, so that tangent spokes on most wheels 
(except Sterlings) are weakened at the hub. If you have ever seen any 
accident where spokes were broken you will have noticed that nine times 
out of ten the spokes have broken at the hubs, where they were bent. 

Hor. True, sir, very true! 

Cyc. And the reason that the Sterling spokes do not break and have 
no weak spots is, that they are passed directly through a hub with 
corrugations, as you can see, thus making them tangent to the hub, 
without any bending. 

Ang. This is certainly a marvelous 

Cyc. The spokes, too, are made 
especially to stand the tensile strain 
which comes on bicycle spokes. 

They are made of the very finest 
and strongest steel piano wire, 
specially tested by the 


company, and each indi¬ 
vidual spoke is guar¬ 
anteed to stand a 
strain of not less f 
than 1,000 pounds. 

There is a gentle¬ 
man up in Michigan 
who weighs 248 pounds, 
and who rides a 26- 
pound Sterling. One 
day he thought he would 
try if the spokes would 
really stand his weight, 
so he got up on one of 
them, and a photog- 



rapher took a picture of him, 
'and, as I bethink me, I have a 
copy of it in my pocket, which 
I will show you. 

Hun. Truly, a wonderful strong 
spoke. 

Cyc. Yes, and if further proof 
were needed, let me tell you that 
any one of these spokes on my Sterling can be 
tied up into a knot, and will, even then, stand 
half as much strain again, as the ordinary 
bicycle spoke. 

But, to continue, there is a special way 
of fitting the spokes into wood rims, in the Ster¬ 
ling. By loosening this tire, I can show it to you. 
Here, beneath the 
tire, you will see there 
is a metal washer, or seat, 
for the head of the spoke 
nipple. 

And note, that the usual 
way is to pass the nipple directly 
through a hole bored straight into 
the wood, but the Sterling way 
is to make a metal washer which 
is inserted in such a way that it 
distributes the strain all over the 


Sterling IRipple 
ICiasber. 


surface of the rim, and thus makes the whole wheel 
much stronger. 

Hor. Are the Sterling manufacturers recommending wood rims this year? 
Cyc. Yes; and that because they have been tried and found a success. 
They are lighter, and seem to have more life and springiness. The wood 


gpofces Can be 
Uteo in a 
Iknot 


Udasbers 
for Spofcc 
IRipples 


^vantages of 
tClooO Ifthns 


i5 






Sterling 
Ibollow 
Steel IRim 


Jj)e Sprocket 
TICIbeel 


Attachment of 
13e Sprocket 
to Crank 
Shaft 


^Lengthening 
of m 
Sprocket 
Chain 




are constantly 
be many new 


rim this year is to be better than last, by reason 
of an improved joint, which is called the taper dove¬ 
tail joint. 

But, for those who prefer steel rims, there 
will still be the Sterling hollow rim which 
has many advantages over ordinary steel 
rims. And first of all, it is hollow, 
which 999 out of 1,000 are not. Then, 
there is an extra thickness of metal on the 
base of the rim, where the spoke nipple passes 
through, and this makes it exceedingly strong, 
and almost unbreakable. 

Further, you are to know that the Sterling people 
improving their wheel, and that there are this year, to 
improvements over last year’s make. 

And of these, I will show you first this sprocket wheel. You no 
doubt know that in most bicycles the sprocket wheels are keyed on, 
and not changeable except by an expert mechanic and with a great deal 
of trouble and work. Now, you see how easily I can take off 
this sprocket wheel and put on another of different gear if I wish. 

Here also you will see on this sprocket shaft a series of 
corrugations. These fit into similar corrugations on the face of 
the sprocket hub. Then with a check nut the two surfaces 
are firmly bound together, thus forming a lock preventing the 
wheel from turning on the axle. Observe that this cannot 
be found on any other wheel. 

Lad. I had a dear friend once, who used 
to say that her chain was the cause of much 
trouble to her. It would grow longer and 
longer, until at last she had to get her 
a new chain. And now this new chain is 
nearly as bad as the old one was. What 


have you, sir, on the Sterling that will prevent this? 

Cyc. Madam, you must first understand that the lengthening of the ° n 

- . , 11 *1 . CD 8 tlt 

chain is caused by wear, and that a chain that will wear much is not a 
good chain nor the wheel with such a chain a high-grade wheel. The 
wearing parts of this chain on my Sterling are made of the very finest 
hardened steel (even to the rivets), which makes an exceedingly good 
chain. This chain will not wear to any extent and will not become loose 
because it is so hard and tough. 

And, as we were speaking about this part of the 
wheel, let me show you the pedal, which is a 
good one. It is made by the Sterling 
folks themselves. It is a wise man who 
has said: “ If you want a thing well done, 
you must do it yourself.” For, you must 
know, that some “ manufacturers” buy every¬ 
thing about a bicycle, and merely put them 

together, so that in the trade where this is known they are sometimes 
called ‘‘assemblers.” But this is not the way with the Sterling, for 
everything about the Sterling has to be the very best of its kind, and 
for this reason no one can make a wheel that in any way resembles it 
or equals it. So that for the Sterling, every part of the wheel which is 
of metal is manufactured by the Sterling people themselves under the 
direct supervision of skillful inventors and mechanics. And thus with 
this pedal. It is the product of much care and skill. It is made by 

their own workmen, in their own factory. 

It is light, easy running and almost abso¬ 
lutely dust-proof. A good point about it 
is this arrangement of the rubber, of which 
you see there is not so much as on the 
ordinary pedal. And again, by the simple 
loosening of a few screws, the rubber can 
be taken off and you have a rat trap. 




1 7 



^ iMBlk^VJpA ! 

, 


JJ)e Urea5 

■ • ■;* Jigfr 'IImt 

Hun. Very neat, sir, exceeding neat! ’Bag#* "£&jf . Hi it^ 

Cyc. Next note that the tread ^ <<*v ' ^ r 

on this wheel, which is one of the ’95 ^ 'j X . ~^\^ 

patterns, is only five inches from • fl|B i * , : > 

center to center of cranks. This . ifJ/JMSjg 'Mf/ ' 

is very narrow for a road wheel, ! % ! . ^ jf*? . 

and, with ordinary construction, is 

apt to weaken the wheel, but with flvjtl w- yf 

the Sterling, as you may think, there * qr 
is not this to fear, for its strength of p Vi ■ 

construction enables it to stand what 

other wheels will not. % | 

|)e "Umbrella 
(Sent 

And, talking of strength reminds . i | 

me of the gentleman who was out *7 

riding the other day on a Sterling. 

He had his umbrella with him, and, by some mischance, it slipped down 
between the spokes. 

It is needless to tell you that, as he was riding at a high rate of 
speed, he fell. He fell hard. Nevertheless, although his umbrella was 
in pieces, his Sterling was quite right. 

]t)e Sl&evpalfc 
Sent 

And another gentleman of my acquaintance was riding on a sidewalk 
about three feet above the roadway. Not looking where he went, he 
rode off the end of the sidewalk and fell with his wheel on to the road. 

JJ)e Golora&o 
Dealer 

Yet he, by good luck, was enabled to keep his balance, and, his wheel 
being a Sterling, neither spokes nor rims were harmed, and he continued 
on his way without dismounting. 

These being occurrences which have happened within mine own 
experience, and which can be vouched for with names and dates, prove 
very plainly what a good, strong, reliable wheel is the Sterling. 

There is also in Colorado a large dealer in bicycles, who recently made 
special efforts to get the agency for the Sterling. And, when he had got 
it, he asked the Sterling folks if they knew why he had wanted the agency 


18 




so much, and they replying, “no,” he said that for the following reason 
he judged it to be the best wheel on the market: Namely, that when 
trading new wheels for old (for a bonus), he would continually come 
across riders of Sterlings who refused to trade their old wheels for new 
high-grade ones of other makes, saying that they knew of no wheel equal 
to the Sterling, and that if they were to trade, they would want a high 
price for it, so that he had to allow a higher 
price for Sterlings than for any other wheel that 
he knew of. 

And there was a dealer in Nebraska 
who was trying to trade a man a new Ster¬ 
ling for an old one, but the rider said that 
he could get $95.00 for it in exchange from 
the agent of another wheel. So he went 
and exchanged his old $135 Sterling for a 
specially made, new, $150 wheel of another 
make, bringing this $150 new machine back 
to the Sterling dealer and paying him besides 
$10.00 more, in exchange for a new $135 
Sterling. And now I will leave it to you as to 

who made the best bargain, the dealer in the other 
machine who got the old Sterling, or the dealer 
in the Sterling who got the new other wheel, 
or the rider who got the new Sterling. 

Ang. I’ll warrant me they all thought 
they had done a good bit of trade; ’tis the 
way o’ the world. But I think that after all 
the rider who got the new Sterling had best 
reason to be content, for if all you say is 
true, the Sterling must be a good wheel. I 
had almost said I would buy one myself. 

Cyc. Trust me, you would be well pleased 


UJe mebrasfea. 
<3ents 


19 




Jt)e 3ewel 

Oil Uolc 


T2XHdgbts 


/fcot>el X 


/1B06CI Ik 


/IRo^l If 


Jj)c IRacer 


with your purchase. But here is a neat device which I have not shown 
you. You will see that it looks like a jewel, set into the end of the 
sprocket axle. Now I press with my oiler on the jewel, and it 
opens a small hole into which I inject a small quantity of oil. This 
is the neatest, cleanest and most satisfactory method of oiling the 
bearings that I have ever seen. It is called the Sterling Jewel Oil Hole. 

Hor. What are the weights 
of the Sterling bicycles this season? 
Cyc. As to that, they weigh 
all the way from twenty-nine 
down to twenty pounds, 
according to the style of 
wheel and equipment. 

I There is the model G, which is 
similar to last year’s model E. 
sold at $100 this year, and weighs from twenty- 
twenty-seven pounds. 

L is the ladies’ wheel (drop frame), and weighs 
about twenty-four pounds. It is a beautiful little wheel, and my lady 
here would be well pleased with it could she but see it. It is bringing 
the weight down so that ladies can ride with as much ease and com¬ 
fort as men, and, being a Sterling, it is strong without being clumsy. 
Then, there is model K. It is a very light wheel, with a low frame, 
adapted especially for gentlemen of short stature. 

It is also much affected by ladies who adopt the bloomer costume, 
for whom it makes a very comfortable and easy mount. 

This wheel that I ride is called the Sterling Model I. It is a light 
weight roadster, of such sterling construction that it will stand almost any 
ordinary road work. And you are to take notice that, although it only 
weighs twenty-three pounds, it is not only for “experienced riders,” but 
for all those who can take proper care of a good wheel. 

And now, we have but the Racer, and then I will end. The Sterling 



It is being 
five to 

The model 


20 
























Racer has shown itself to be a fast wheel. As you know, in order to be 
fast, a wheel must be stiff, rigid, strong, light and easy-running. And all 
this, may truthfully be said, are properties of the Sterling. 

The Sterling Racer has shown us what it could do, last year, when 
it made such a record for itself all over the country by the races which 
it won. It is to be lighter and more perfect this year than last. And I 
will explain that, in order to lighten it, the corrugated hub will be put 
only on the rear wheel, as that is where the torsional strain is felt. 

And as to this torsional or twisting strain, you must know that it is 
caused principally by the action of the chain on the rear wheel, and that 
there is but a very light strain on the front wheel. And this is proved 
by the fact that before tangent spokes were invented, the trouble caused 
by strain was always on the rear wheel, and not on the front wheel. 

But there are a few more good points on the Sterling I had almost 
forgot: 

This crank, as you see, is very neat 
and graceful. It is made from drop-forged 
tool steel, oil tempered. It is almost 
unbreakable. Sterling Crank. 

Hun. The first bicycle I ever rode, the 
cranks worked loose, and I injured my ankle, so that I was in a bad way 

Cyc. Here is something that will prevent that. Note, if you please, 
this small bolt that holds the crank in place. You see it fits into a 
groove in the sprocket axle. Were the groove not there the crank would 
come off when loose, but, with the groove, it never comes off, even if it 
should ever get loose. 

Then, there are the Bearings. They are even better than last year. 
They are turned from a special steel, made specially for the Sterling 
people, and ground to absolute gauge. They are exceeding tough, exceed¬ 
ing hard, exceeding durable. They are one of the causes of the easy- 
running qualities of the Sterling. 

And you are also to remember that every piece of metal in the 



21 


|)e Crank 


Small JBolt 
tn se Crank 


|)e Searings 


Strong Con* 
structlon of 
Iffe Sterling 




|)e IRelnforces 
menta 


Ifntcrcbange* 
able iparta 



Ster¬ 
ling i 
o f 
steel 
and * ' 

that of the very best and strongest quality. There 

are no castings anywhere, and no iron or other metal but 

steel, except that the nipples are of Hecla Bronze, and this, because that 
metal is preferable to steel for the purpose, as it does not rust. 

As to the Frame, it is made of spirally drawn Mannesmann Steel 
Tubing, reinforced at the joints and places of greatest strain. 

Lad. Tell me what you mean by reinforced. 

Cyc. A reinforcement is a thin piece of steel tubing, fitted inside 
the tubing of the frame, wherever the frame is likely to “give” if 
strained, and when this is done it frequently adds years to the life of 
the wheel. And, let me tell you, there be but few wheels which have 
sufficient, or indeed any reinforcement to thus strengthen them, and this, 
perhaps, is one of the chief causes of the superiority of the Sterling. 

And now, you must remember that when you are buying a wheel 
you should esteem it a great thing to get one in which every part is 

interchangeable, as in the Sterling. For, if anything should break, it is 

an advantage to be able to get a duplicate part within a day or so, at a 

low cost, whereas, with some other wheels you would have to have it 

made specially to order, by hand, at great expense and delay. 


22 


And if there is anything in which our English cousins are behind us 
in the matter of bicycle construction it is surely in this very point. And 
in France, too, though being a critical people, the French buy more 
American wheels than of any other foreign make, because of their great 
perfection, this perhaps accounting for the brisk sale of the Sterling in 
France, where the company has established an agency. 

And now I will end, and doubtless you are glad that my long 
discourse is finished, for when a man has a subject that pleases him he 
is but too apt to thresh it bare, and to tire with his long harangue those 
who take the patience to listen to him. 

And yet I trust that I have taught you something concerning the 
bicycle, and especially the Sterling bicycle, and that you have been 
convinced by what I have said that it is the best wheel that can be got 
and the highest grade that is manufactured; and this without fear or favor, 
and without exception or reservation of any kind. 

Hun. Trust me, sir; I think we have all enjoyed your amazingly Result of 

interesting discourse, and, as for myself, I have become in heart and 
mind a convert to cycling, and shall with all speed get me a Sterling, 
that I may enjoy life to the full of my ability, and retain my health 
and heartiness. 

Ang. And I. 

Hor. And I. 

Lad. And I. 

Cyc. Well, my lady and gentlemen, right glad am I that I have 
been able to convert you. And now we must part, for I have to be on 


my way. A 
have you been, 
shall meet 
your wheels, 
out together. 



pleasant company 
and I trust that we 
again when you have 
that we may then ride 
And so, farewell. 



Height of frame, 23% inches; wheel base, 43% inches; tread, 
inches; Mannesmann tubing, 18 to 20 gauge, reinforced; special steel 
forgings, wheels 28 inches, front and rear; Sterling patent corrugated 
hubs, Sterling spokes, needle drawn from piano wire, each spoke 
tested to 1,000 pounds tensile strain; threads rolled, wood or hollow 
steel rims, changeable sprocket, allowing for 60 or 67 gear; chain 
5-16 inch, hardened rivets and center links, cranks, Sterling patent, 
6 to 6^4-inch throw, tool steel and tempered in oil, saddle and handle 
bar optional (see special pages), Morgan & Wright, Dunlop or Palmer 
tires, tool bag, containing tools and repair kit. 

Price 


Weight 27 pounds. 


>100. 
































Sterlmo Ibanble Bars 



RAM’S HORN (RACING). 

No Brake Attachment. 
Width between grips, 15 inches. 



RAISED. 

Brake Attachment. 

Width between grips, 20 inches. 




STRAIGHT. 

No Brake Attachment. 
Width between grips, 18 inches. 



DROP (RACING). 

No Brake Attachment. 
Width between grips, 18 inches. 


REGULAR. 

Brake Attachment. 

Width between grips, 19 ]/ 2 inches. 


25 





Specification 



Wheel base, 43%; height of frame, 23%; tread, 5 inches; Mannesmann 
tubing 18 to 24 gauge, reinforced at joints, all connections are forgings 
from special steel; wheels 28-inch, front and rear; Sterling patent 
corrugated hub with tangent spokes in rear wheel, small hub and direct 
spokes front wheel; Sterling spokes, needle drawn from piano wire; 
threads rolled, wood rims, specially made for track use; gears optional, 
68, 70. 72, 76 or 80; improved detachable sprocket on crank shaft, Sterling 
^4-inch chain, rivets and center links specially hardened; cranks, Sterling 
patent, 6 or 6J4-inch throw, tool steel tempered in oil; handle bar and 
saddle (see special page giving illustrations); tool bag, containing tools 
and repair kit; Morgan & Wright, Dunlop or Palmer tires. 

Weight 19 to 20 pounds. Price $125. 























Sterling Sabbles. 



HUNTS, MML 

Weight, 20 % oz. Price, $4.00 



SAGER, XLI 

Weight, 17 % oz. Price, $5.00 



GARFORD, T 

Weight, i8>£ oz. Price, $4.00 



BROOKS (English), B 11 

Weight, 18 oz. Price, $5.00 


27 


SAGER, XI 

Weight, 16 oz. Price, $5.00 





Specification 


Height of frame, 23 %\ wheel base, 4334; tread, 5 inched; Mannesman!* 
tubing 18 to 22 gauge, reinforced at joints; special steel forgings, wheels 
28-inch, front and rear; Sterling patent corrugated hubs, Sterling spokes, 
needle drawn from piano wire, each spoke tested to 1,000 pounds 
tensile strain; threads rolled, wood or hollow steel rims, gears optional, 
60, 63, 66, 68 or 70; improved detachable sprocket on crank shaft, Sterling, 
chain, )4-inch, rivets and center lines specially hardened. Cranks, 
Sterling patent, 6 or 634-inch throw, tool steel tempered in oil; tool 
bag, containing tools and repair kit; Morgan & Wright, Dunlop or 
Palmer tires; saddle and handle bar optional (see special pages); 634-inch 
cranks and 68 gear furnished unless otherwise ordered. 

Weight 21 to 25 pounds. Price $110. 





































Height of frame, 21*4 inches; wheel base, 42 inches; tread, 5 inches; 
Mannesmann tubing, 18 to 22 gauge, reinforced; special steel forgings, 
wheels 26 inches, front and rear; Sterling patent corrugated hubs, 
Sterling spokes, needle drawn from piano wire, each spoke tested to 
1,000 pounds tensile strain, threads rolled, wood rims only, gears 59, 
63, 67 or 71; improved detachable sprocket on crank shaft, Sterling 
chain 14,-inch, rivets and center links specially hardened; cranks. Sterling 
patent, 6 or 6%-inch throw, tool steel and oil tempered; Morgan & 
Wright, Dunlop or Palmer tires, saddle and handle bar optional (see 
special pages), tool bag, containing tools and repair kit. 

Weight 21 to 23 pounds. Price $110. 
























■iM , 


Specification 



Gbc Sterling 

^ flfoobci % 


Wheel base, 42 inches; tread 5% inches; Mannesmann tubing 18 to 2 z 
gauge, special steel forgings, wheels 26 inches, front and rear; Sterling 
patent corrugated hubs, Sterling spokes, needle drawn from piano wire, 
each spoke tested to 1,000 pounds tensile strain; threads rolled, wood 
rims only, gears optional, 55, 59 or 63; improved detachable sprocket on 
crank shaft, Sterling }4*inch chain, rivets and center links specially 
hardened, cranks, Sterling patent, 6-inch throw; tool steel tempered in. 
oil, Morgan & Wright, Dunlop or Palmer tires; raised handle bar and 
brake, with mud, chain and dress guards sent unless otherwise ordered; 
Sager ladies’ saddle. 

Price $110. 


Weight 25 pounds. 





















IRotlce to [purchasers 








-SHIPPING DIRECTIONS 




Our Terms are cash with order, C. O. D. orders to be accom¬ 
panied by a remittance sufficient to cover expressage both ways. 

Prices are strictly net free on board cars in Chicago. No 
discounts are allowed to any but regular agents. Purchaser must 
pay freight or express charges. Our liability ceases upon delivery 
of goods in good order to transportation company. 

Charges on returns must be PREPAID by sender. A tag 
with name and address of sender should be attached to all machines 
or parts returned to us. Write us same day giving full instructions. 
Parts coming back should be carefully wrapped to avoid damage in 
shipping. 


Guarantee 


We guarantee every “ STERLING” Bicycle to be free from 
imperfections in material and manufacture, and agree to make good, 
at our factory, any defects in them not caused by use, misuse or 
neglect. If such defects are found, the defective parts must be 
sent to us for examination before any claim is allowed. This 
guarantee holds good for one year from date of purchase. 




31 
















nOW TO TAKE CARE *. s* 
* *. _*. OFjrOVR WnEEL. 


Unless you are a mechanical expert, don’t go to work as soon as you get home and take your 
machine to pieces. 

While there is nothing intricate about a bicycle, ten chances to one you will not reassemble it 
and secure the perfect adjustment it had before you rode it home. 

Every Sterling is carefully inspected before leaving the factory, and should not require any 
attention for some time, save occasional oiling, except in case of accident. 

It is well to look your wheel over occasionally and see that all nuts are tight. In using your 
wrench take time enough to fit it to the nut you wish to move, and use judgment in exerting power. 
We have seen riders set up a screw in just about the same style they would set a brake on a fiat car. 



WATCH YOUR BEARINGS. 


If they are too tight, your wheel will 
run hard, and the bearings get des¬ 
tructive wear. To avoid danger in this respect it is desirable to have just a perceptible looseness in 
the adjustment of bearings; this can be felt by a gentle movement of the parts. 

Don’t let the bearings run too loose. If you do, you will lose the use of the ball-bearing 
entirely, as your axles will be grinding on the edges of the ball shells and cones, causing great 
friction and quick destruction of the parts. 

In adjusting both crank axle and wheel bearings move LEFT HAND CONES ONLY; the right 
hand cone of crank bearing should always be screwed up tight to the forging or crank hanger, and 
the right hand cones of wheel bearings are permanently secured to the wheel axles, and are not 
meant to be turned at all. 

Pedal adjusting cones are under dust cap on outside of each pedal. 

If your wheels want truing up at any time, better have it done by some one who thoroughly 
understands it, as if you are inexperienced you are liable to change the tension of the spokes too 
much and make a bad matter worse. 

In taking wheels out of frame and replacing, see that your rear wheel tracks with the front one; 
in handling the chain adjustment screws, unless they are operated together or uniformly, the wheel 
will not set right. The edges of the wheel rim should be equally distant from the two lower rear 
braces of the frame. 

The machine shonld be thoroughly oiled about every ioo miles. Use enough oil in wheel 
and crank axle bearings so as to insure a supply reaching the desired spot; by tipping the machine 
over somewhat the oil flows more rapidly to the bearings. The head needs oiling hardly once a year. 

Although graphite is used generally by cyclists, we do not consider it good for cycle chains. As 
prepared for cyclists in a pasty form it gathers the grit from the dust of the road and then becomes 
a grinding substance instead of a lubricant, wearing out both chain and sprocket in a very short 
time. It also packs down between the the teeth of sprocket wheels and in links of chain, causing a 
bad fit, and also makes the chain run stiff. 

Take off and wash your chain in kerosene oil, which 
will take the dirt out of it; then give it a bath in lard 
oil for an hour or so, or all night; wipe off dry and the oil, which has found its way into the bear¬ 
ings of the chain, will keep it lubricated longer than by any other method. Do not put oil on the 
sprocket when chain is oiled in this manner. 

Don’t inflate your tires too hard; they should, for ordinary riding, be soft enough to give you 
a perfect cushion, without being slack enough to allow the rim to strike a car track, for instance, 
or like obstruction. 

Full instructions for repairing your tires will be found in the tool-bag. When necessary to 
send back tires for any purpose whatever, you are recommended to ship direct to tire makers and 
correspond with them, as it will save both yourselves and us the loss of valuable time by handling 
through a third party. We give you below the addresses of the repair departments of makers whose 
tires we are cataloguing this year. 

AMERICAN DUNLOP TIRE CO. 

Chicago, 266 Wabash Avenue, 

New York, 504 West 14th Street. 

PALMER PNEUMATIC TIRE CO. 

Chicago, 48 Van Buren Street. 

MORGAN & WRIGHT, 

Chicago, 

333 WeSt Lake Street - 


A BETTER WAY: 













0 040 051 169 A 


















